Garden hybrid

This is a garden hybrid, bred from more than one wild species, so it has no single species page of its own.

3 other cultivars

tree

Calypso Flowering Gum

Corymbia x hybrida 'Calypso'

The Story

Plant Bio

Corymbia ficifolia, formerly classified under Eucalyptus, is a small evergreen tree native to a highly restricted coastal strip of Western Australia. It is celebrated for its dense, rounded canopy of leathery, dark green leaves and spectacular summer display of vibrant, filament-heavy blossoms clustered at the branch tips.

'Calypso' is a compact, grafted selection distinguished by its dense, neatly rounded habit and profuse terminal clusters of deep salmon-pink to coral-pink flowers. The blossoms emerge from distinct pink operculum caps on red stems, followed by large, urn-shaped woody seed capsules.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a dramatic summer display of salmon-pink blossoms against dark green foliage, making it an excellent compact specimen tree.

Offers high drought tolerance and excellent resistance to coastal salt spray once established.

Attracts hummingbirds, bees, and other insect pollinators with its nectar-rich, showy staminal flowers.

Garden hybrid

Bred from more than one wild species, so it has no species page of its own.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

196"

Width

157"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Summer

In flower about 3 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with exceptionally well-drained soil, such as sandy loam or free-draining light clay.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the graft union remains well above the final soil level.
Backfill with native soil without adding organic amendments, and water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.
Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it several inches away from the trunk to prevent rot.

Pro Tip

Never bury the graft union when planting, as burying it below the soil line triggers scion rejection or aggressive rootstock suckering. Prune only by light tip-pruning when young; cutting back into old, leafless wood prevents bud regeneration.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Water deeply but infrequently during the first two growing seasons to establish a deep root system.
Use a low-phosphorus fertilizer formulated for native plants if soil nutrients are deficient.
Protect young trees from severe frost using burlap or frost cloth during cold snaps.

Don't

Do not plant the tree too deep or allow soil and mulch to pile up against the graft union.
Do not prune heavily into old, bare wood, as the plant lacks epicormic buds to regenerate from old timber.
Do not over-water or plant in heavy, poorly drained clay soils, which rapidly induces Phytophthora root rot.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Specimen treeCoastal gardenStreet treeCourtyard focal point

Companion Plants

Salvia clevelandii Rosmarinus officinalis Agave attenuata

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Calypso Flowering Gum questions

What zones can Calypso Flowering Gum grow in?

Calypso Flowering Gum is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Calypso Flowering Gum bloom?

Calypso Flowering Gum typically blooms in summer through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Calypso Flowering Gum need full sun?

Calypso Flowering Gum does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Calypso Flowering Gum drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Calypso Flowering Gum handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.